Target device



NOV. 8, 1938. E JOHNSON 2,135,667

` TARGET DEVICE Filed Sept. 20, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l Affi ATTOREY.

NOV. 8, 1938. E. C, JOHNSON 2,135,667

TARGET DEVICE FiledvSept. 20, 1957 2 Shets-Sheet 2 HIJ ATTORNEY.

geremd News, 193s A UNITED. srfrrssV PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

invention pertains to amusement devices and more particularly to an electric shooting gallery employing a light gun and novel photo-electric targets and mechanism for controlling the movement of these targets in a particular manner.

One of the novel features of -the invention resides in the provision of a plurality of targets simulating flying ducks or the like and arranged in a cabinet for movement before a window so as to pass across the vision of the marksman from unexpected positions, somewhat in the manner of the marksmanship scheme commonly known as Skeet wherein the targetsare released suddenly from unexpected positions in` accordance with a predetermined plan in order to test the skill and alertness of the marksman.

A further feature resides in the provision of electrical control mechanism for eil'ecting the release of various vtargets depending upon the operation of a selecting mechanism under the control of the marksman.

..- Still another object is the provision of selecting mechanism in which certain of the targets` are directly controlled and hence may be actuated responsive to the marksmans operation of a particular control member, whereas others of the targets'are dependent upon the previous operation or selection of other targets regardless of the marksmans selection, thus providing an additional element of surprise.

Still another and more particular object of the invention is the provision of a cabinet having a large sight opening preferably covered by a glass pane and a plurality of target figures mounted on pivoted arms in the cabinet for movement in horizontal flights in opposite dlrectlons across the sight opening, the targets being urged by spring means in the direction of their flight and normally latched against movement after being set or returnedl to a normal position by a motor driven resetting mechanism, each of the targets having electromagnetic release means and there being provided a. control y 46 cabinet or panel/ for the marksman in which -there are a plurality of push buttons selectively operable by the marksman to operate certain of the Yelect'romagnetic release devices, there being providedin the circuitsto these` release devices delayed-actionswitching mechanism for delaylng the release of a particular target after the marksman has pushed a button so that he may have time enough to take aim.

Other novel aspects and lobjects of the inven- 66 tion reside in the particular arrangement of parts and control circuits hereinafter to be described in detail in view of the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the target cabinet and control cabinet;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section along lines 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section viewing the target cabinet from the front along lines 3-3 of Fig. 2; 10

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical elevation of a target switch and resetting cam, as viewed along lines 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through the electromagnetic target release mechanism as seen 15 along lines 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section of a target and photo-electric cell as seen along lines 6 6 of Fig. 3; .l

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sec- 20 tion through the control cabinet, as seen along lines 'I-'| in Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a circuit diagram;

, Fig. 9 is identical to Fig. 4 with the exception that a control switch 83 is added to the switch 25 8|; while Fig. 10 is a fragmentary circuit diagram for pedal operation and adapted to replace the manual switch circuits of Fig. 8.

In one embodiment of the invention, as seen 30 in Fig. 1, the unitary apparatus includes a target cabinet I 2 having a sight opening or window I3 behind which is a scenic panel I4 having central cut-away areas I5 across which a number of targetsl are adapted to move, there being provided in this housing driving mechanism for moving the targets variously under the control of a selective operative means in the fo-rm of a plurality of push buttons I6 arranged on a control cabinet Il and including a coin-freed mas- 40 ter control I 8. The control cabinet and mechanism therein is connected by means of a cable I9 to the controlmechanism in the housing I2. Connected with the control cabinet I'I is a light gun 20 adapted to emit a ash of light responsive 45 to each pull of the trigger for actuation of photoelectric means, forming part of each target, when the gun is properly aimed.

In the present instance the targets are ve in number and are in the form of flying duck 50 figures, 2I to 25 inclusive. Taking for convenience the duck numbered 25, it will be observed that the latter is mounted at the upper end of a. target arm 26 which is pivoted near its lower end as at 21 on a bracket 28 suitably attached to the 55 lower inner wall of the cabinet. This target 28 I is adapted to sweep across the window I3 Valong 'I'he arm 28 is normally latched in the initial or "set position seen in Fig. 3 by means of a spring urged latch pin identical in structure to that seen in Fig. 5 wherein is provided an electromagnet or solenoid 30 (indicated at 39' in Fig. 3

the target opening 23' and being.adapted tov for the arm 28) conveniently mounted adjacent the end of the target arm near its pivotal point. The armature 3| of the electromagnet has a latching arm provided with a cam end 33, the armature and latch arm being normally urged outwardly of the .solenoid by means of a spring 34 so as to project the cam end 33 of the latch arm 32 into the path of movement of the end 'of the arm (indicatedvat 28' in Fig. 5), there being provided a plate with a latch tooth 38 on each arm for its respective nger 32.. Thus, each arm is latched into the full line position seenin Fig. 3 vwith its respective operating spring 29 tensioned so that when the electromagnet 38 is energized, its plunger and latch arm 3-32 will be drawn inwardly to dispose the latch or cam end 33 thereof out of latching engagement with the latch tooth 35 on the target arm, allowing the latter to be swung by its spring across the sight opening.

Means for resetting the targets includes the resetting wheel 38 also mounted on the bracket 28 and having a sprocket gear 31 driven by a continuous sprocket chain 39 which in turn is driven by a motor 39 having a reduction gear mechanism 40. By referring to the enlarged view of Fig. 4, it will be observed that the resetting wheel 36' therein isY provided with an eccentric cam roller 4| eil'ective when the target arm 22' is in the dotted line position to move in a clockwise directron and pivot the arm 22' back into its` latchedtfull line position.

. Since it is necessary to return the target arms in opposite directions back to their normal positions, there is a second sprocket chain 42 trained over the sprocket 43 of the resetting wheel 318' (corresponding to target 22-22') vand back vover a resetting sprocket wheel 44 in the lower part of the cabinet and associated with the target arm 24', the driving sprocket 48 for chain 42 moving in reverse direction to the driving sprocket for chain 38.

Thus, when the motor 391s energized, each oiv its normal latched.

the targets is returned to plsition by its respective resetting -eccetric` w eel.

ample the duck 23, is provided with alight pene by light from the gun 28- skillfully-directed through operate some form. of hit-indicating ,mechanism such as a bell or score register or lthe like, not illustrated herein since the same does not form part of the invention. Y

The control mechanism, as seen in Fig. '1, is housed in the control cabinet i1 and includes a master control I8 in the form oi. a coin slide arranged to'actuate a motor switch 48 through a pivoted operating arm 41 engaged by the lateral finger 48 on a dashpot arm 49.l lWhen the coin slide I8 is actuated in the well-known manner,

its vreciprocating slide member i 9 urges the dashpot arm 49 toward the left against the tension of a return spring 50, causing the operating linger 48 to pass the switch operating nger 41, and vas the dashpot arm 49 slowly returns to its normal position responsive to the pull of the spring 88, y

the finger 48 will transiently engage the operative arm 41 and momentarily close the switch 48 to energize the motor 39.' This will eiect a resetting of any or all of the targets from released back to set position in the manner heretofore described, this operation being quickly effected and the motor 39 being automatically cut out of the circuit as will be described later in conjunction with Fig. 8.

'Ihe individual target control means includes a number of push buttons I8, numbered in Fig. y

7 from 1 to 5 inclusive, each of the same being adapted to operate a snap switch 5| or 52, 83, 54, 95, when depressed. These switches are mounted on a bracket 58 and are provided with a gang reset plate 81 adapted to reciprocate on pin means 88 so as to reset in unison each of the operating levers 8|', etc., of the several switches. This resetting operation is effected through a toggle lever system including a tripping pin 8l engaged by the inner end of the slide I8' when the latter is reciprocated. 'Ihus each time the coin slide |8|8' is operated by the deposit of a coin, the motor switch 48 is closed and also the several toggle or snap switches 8i 88 are all reset.

Referring to Fig. 8, the operating circuit includes a source of power 83 connected to the pri-` mary 84 oi.' a transfonner, -the secondary of which is adapted to supply the releasing electromagnets. The motor 39 is connected on one side by a conductor 85 to one side of the power line 83, the other side of the motor being connected by a conductor-88 to a wiping contact linger 81 and also to a contact 88 of the motor switch 48 described in conjunction with Fig. "I, the other side of the switch 48 being connected by a-*conductor 89 to the opposite side oi! the power line 83. By closing. the switch 48 the motor 39 will be energized.

.circuit is closed through the latter. When the master switch 48 is closed, however, the motor 39 will momentarily be energized throughthe same and move the conductive disc 12 a distance sniiicient to rotate the insulating segment `13. faway'from the wiper-fingers so .that the latter vnay engage the conductive disc portion 12 and closelthe motor power circuit around the switch 48 so that the motor 3.9.will continue to run until the insulated segment again'encounters the wiping fingers and br'eaks the` motorl circuit. One revolution of the motor control means 12 is sumcient to reset all of the targets, and thus the motor may be started by the coin slide control andl n automatically stopped after the targets are rev stored to set" position.

The secondary 14 `oi.' the transformer is connected'by a conductor 18 to one side oi' the heater coil 18 of a thermostaticA switch arm 11 g 'l f also connected to the conductor 18, the opposite side ofthe heater coil being connected to a conductor 18 which is common to the'iirst threevsnap nsf- -ductor 13 is a stationary contact arm 10 adapted to be engaged by the thermostatic arm "when the latter has been moved by heat developed in the heater coil 16 to short circuit the heater coil and permit a flow of current through the particular switch 5I, etc., and its associated releasing solenoid 30,v the actuation of the thermostatic switch requiring a' predetermined interval of time'before the heater coil 16 is short circuited, so that the target will not be released until the marksman has had an opportunity to take aim, the normal series resistance oi the heater 16 being adequate to prevent operation of any of the releasing solenoids.

Assuming by way of example that the middle one of the buttons I6 has been pushed by the operator so as to snap the switch 53, it will appear that a circuit will be completed from the secondary of the transformer through the heater coil 10, the conductor 18, the switch 53. and the conductor 00, to the middle solenoid 303 and from the other side of this solenoid through a normally closed switch i (there being one of these i'or each target) arranged in the cabinet for engagement by the end of the particular target arm with which it is associated to be opened when the target moves into operated position (as in dotted lines in Fig. 4), the return circuit from switch 0I being via the common conductor 82 back to the other side of the secondary 14.

One of the features of the control circuit previously mentioned includes the control of some of the targets by others regardless of the selection made by the operator. This is eiected through the addition of a pair of normally open contact springs 83'(Fig. 9) provided in the switch 8| and arranged in series with one of the other release solenoids 304 so that the latter is normally open, and `the operation of its corresponding switch 54 will be ineffective until theswitch 8|-83 is ilrst operated. This arrangement may be repeated so that others of the releasing magnets such as 305 cannot be energized until the preceding solenoid 304 has ilrst been energized through operation of its associated target arm. It will be apparent that this circuit arrangement may be varied dependent upon the number of targets provided and the particular order in which it may be desirable to operate them, the principal object being to provide an element of surprise to test the skill of the marksman in sighting a moving target which appears from an unknown position responsive to his manipulation of the control buttons.

If desired, the manually operated push buttons i0 may be replaced by a pedal operated switch shown schematically in Fig. 10. In such case, there is only one switch i' employed for actuation by a pedal 85 to initiate the sequential operation of the targets through a switch of the type 0i-03 shown in Fig. 9, each target after the rst being operative' through such a switch to close a circuit through the next target and the time delay switch 11-19. In Fig. l0, the i-lrst switch 5I' actuated by the pedal 85 isa snap switch while the remaining switches 832 are the same as the switch 03 shown in Fig. 9, the power connection being through the secondary 14' of a transformer and a time delay switch 11-19, as in the case of Fig. 8, and the several switches 5I-832 being connected to the individual release magnets 30 305 in place of the connections to the switches 5i-55.

It will be observed in Figs. 2 and 3 that some of the target members are mounted to move in the same plane as others, this arrangement being provided for purposes of compactness, and the operating mechanism being arranged to restore the several targets in such sequence that they will not collide. It desired, the targets may be arranged to move in individual planes andthe y sequence of release of targets may be varied considerably.

Moreover, various arrangements of the .operating mechanism particularly described herein for purposes of illustration are within the ability of those skilled in the art, and it is to be understood that the appended claims are intended to include within their call all rearrangements and changes in form and location fairly coming within the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

movement of said targets individually, controlled4` means normally restraining said targets against movement, and control mechanism constructed and arranged to be positioned at a distance from said targets and including manually actuated means for effecting operation of said controlled means so as to eiect movement of individual targets interdependently in a predetermined sequence.

3. A target apparatus including a plurality of movable targets arranged to be normally out of view, means for moving said targets individually into view, and electrical means for setting said targets into viewing motion, together with manual switch means for operating said electrical means to set a particular target in motion as aforesaid, and automatic switch means operable by said particular target for sequentially operating said electrical means to set other targets sequentially in motion.

4. A target apparatus including a plurality of individually reciprocable targets and means effective when the same are set" in one reciprocable position to move the targets individually into opposite reciprocable position, electrically releasable latch means normally holding said targets in said opposite position, electrical means for restoring said targets from said opposite position back to set positionfmeans providing a eld of vision across which said targets pass when moving from one of said positions to another and shielding said targets from view when the same are disposed in said set and opposite positions, together with electrical control means for said latch means and operable to eiect delayed release of `selected ones of said targets, and means for restoring said targets to said set position.

5. A target apparatus including a plurality of movable targets, means for moving said targets, releasable means normally restraining said targets against movement, and control means including manually operable means for releasing said targetsindividually, and time delay means cooperable with said manual means for delaying release of the target a determined length of time after operation of said manual means.

6. A target apparatus including a plurality of movable targets, means for moving said targets, electrical release means for setting individual targets into motion, manual, delayed-action selecting means for actuating the release means of certain targets, and means operated by said certain targets after the same are set in motion for rendering the release means for other targets operable responsive to operation of said selecting means.

'7. Target apparatus including a shield member providing a sight opening, a plurality of targets pivoted for movement severally across said opening, said targets normally being latched by releasable latch means inv a set position behind said shield, means for moving said targets from set position across said opening to an opposite position out of view, resetting means including individual cam wheels for each target and common electrical drive means therefor, coin-freed control means for energizing said drive means, electrical latch-release means. for each target, selective switch means for energizing said release means, and switch means operable by particular targets for preventing release of certain other targets until said particular targets have moved from set position to opposite position.

8. Target mechanism including a plurality of target gures mounted for individual movement across a field vof vision, means normally urging said targets to move in one direction, electrical means releasably latching said targets into opel posite position, means normally shielding said targets from view and providing a iield of vision across which said targets may move and be viewed when released, together withcontrol mechanism lincluding manually operable switch means for actuating said electrical release means selectively so as to release a particular target, delayed-action' 'means in circuit with said switch means for delaying the release of a target responsive to the operation of said switch means, and driven means 5,667 for restoring said targets in unison to said loppo- Itrical release means for site positions.

9. Target mechanism including a housing providing a sight opening and a neld of vision for moving target members, a plurality of target iigures pivotally mounted in said housing for individual movement across said iield of vision, spring means for individually moving said targets ln one direction, electrically releasable means for latching said targets individually in an opposite set position with their respective spring members under tension, power driven eccentric restoring means for each of said targets and adapted to move the same from said opposite position into said set position, together with control mechanism including an individual eleceach of said targets, a plurality of electrically operable switches for selectively actuating said release means, a master switch for energizing said driven restoring means, and delayed-action switch means in circuit with said electrical release means for delaying the operation of the latter a predetermined length of time after the operation of a selected switch for releasing a target.

10. In a target apparatus, a plurality of movable targets, means for moving said targets, releasable means normally latching individual targets against movement, electrical means for operating said releasable means, and control means including selectively operable switches for actuating said electrical means to release la particular target, together with delayed action means cooperable with said switch means for delaying the release of a said target a predetermined time after operation of a selected switch.

11. In a target apparatus, a pluralityof movable targets, means for moving said targets, releasable means normally latchlng individual targets against movement, electrical means for operating said releasable means, and control means including selectively operable switches for actuating said electrical means to release a particular target, the operation of said electrical means being arranged for operation to release certain of said targetsonly after certain `others of said targets have iirst been operated.

. EDWARD C. JOHNSON. 

